Electric snap switch



Aug. 17, 1943. c. P. CLARE 2,326,760

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed Feb. l, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l :FMT-l a/ 20 IIE- 446 43 ,44 46 :9% f//a /5 45 4445 ,D INVENTOR. @M/g @y Aug. 17, 1943. C, P CLARE 2,326,760

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed Feb. l, 1941 2 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR. @6a/tv,

Patented Aug. 17, 1943 2,326,760 ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Carl P. Clare, Arlington Heights, Ill., assigner to C. P. Clare and Company, Chicago, Ill., aeorporation of Illinois Application February 1, 1941, Serial No. 377,074

(Cl. L200- 67) Claims.

My invention relates broadly to electric relay systems and more particularly to an improved construction of self-interrupting type of relay for controlling the interconnection of electrical circuits at a predetermined time rate.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a. construction of self-interrupting type ci electrical relay including a magnetic operating system controlling a movable armature arranged to control a snap action switch ior interrupting the control circuit through the relay operating winding and also to control a spring pile-up assembly for controlling the operation or a multiplicity of electrical circuits at a similar time rate.

Another object of my invention is to provide` a construction of self-interrupting electrical relay system including a magnetic core system and operating winding'thereon for effecting angular movement oi a movable armature having a pair or arms and wherein a two-position snap action switch electrically in series with the operating winding is controlled by one of the arms and a spring pile-up assembly controlled by the other of the arms.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a self-interrupting circuit control means for a relay system in which the armature oi' the relay carries a member terminating in a yoke which embraces opposite sides oi' a spring contact memwinding of a relay system in accordance with the movement of the amature controlled by the yoperating winding and under conditions Where the switch remains either in an open or closed position until the armature reaches the last portion of its stroke whereby 'the magnetic ilux cycle in the magnetic system of the relay may be substatially completed intermediate a succession of strokes of the armature. 1

A still further object of my invention is to providejan arrangement of repeat action relay system'in which the movement of the amature of the relay system controls a two-position snap action switch through a yoke embracing theswitch and operating to shift the switch to either an open or closed position at substantially the limits of'tli'e path of travel of the armature for controlling the continuity of the circuit through the operating winding of the relay.

Other and further objects oi my invention reside in the construction of two-position snap action switch for electric relay systems as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the selfinterrupting type of electrical relay system oi my invention showing the armature in release position and the contacts of the spring pile-up assembly open, parts oi the relay system being shown in section to more clearly explain the construction thereoi; Fig. 2 isa side elevational View looking the opposite side of the relay system illustrated in Fie', l and showing certain of the parts in. cross section for more clearly explaining the construction of the relay system; Fig. 3 is a top plan View ci the relay system shown in Figs. l and 2 showing more particularly the snap action switch controlled by one lever arm carried by the armature-and the spring pileup assembly controlled by the other 'le/er arm carried by the armature; Fig. 4 is an end View of the relay shown in Figs. l-S lookin g in the direction of .the arrow -ul6 in Fig. l; fig. 5 is an elevational view showing the movable armature of the relay moved to operating position and illustrating the snap action switch shifted. to open position; Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view 'taken through the relay system on line 8-5 ci Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the armature showlng the two lever arms carried thereby, one of which operates the spring pile-up assembly for controlling various electrical circuits and the other of which terminates in a yoke embracing the operating member of the snap action switch for eiecting the closing and opening thereof in accordance with the movement of the armature; Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the parts of the adjustable journaling means for the movable armature by which the special relation between the armature and the end of the magnetic core structuremay be determined; Fig. 9 is a schematic View showing the arrangement of the armature with respect to the magnetic core structure of the'relay system and the lever arm carried thereby which terminates in a yoke embracing opposite sides of the operating member of the contact system and showing the contact system closed during the release .position of the armature; Fig. 10 is a. schematic View showing the armature moved to operating position and the snap action switch moved to open position; Fig. 11

is a perspective View of the operation member oi the snap action switch; Fig.12 is an enlarged side elevational view of the snapl action switch in closed position with the stressed resilient portion thereof illustrated in longitudinal section; Fig. 13 is a view similar to the view shown in Fig. 12 where the snap action switch -is illustrated in open position, the stressed portion of the operating member being illustrated in longitudinal section in a manner similar to the showing in Fig. i2; Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view through the operating member of the snap action switch 'l taken on line itl-lll of Fig. 12 where theswitch is inI closed position; and Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view through the snap action switch taken on line l-l 5 of Fig. i3.

The self-interrupting relay of my invention includes a snap action switch which is controlled in accordance with the movement of the armature to delay the opening of the j circuit through the operating winding of the relay sys- 'te'm until substantially the end of the mechanical movement oi the armature on the operating stroke and to delay the closing of the operating winding circuit to substantially the end of the release stroke of the armature. In additionto this mechanical control arrangement, I provide a conductive sleeve or slug in the magnetic eld of the operating winding of the relay constituting an eddy current ring and iorming means for controlling the rate of increase and decrease oi the magnetic lines of force and correspond-'- 9 disposed within the iield of magnetic ux from the turns of winding 6 and operating as a shortmagnetic lines of force.

structure i is suitably secured to the heelpiece circuiting or eddy currentring for controlling the time of the building up' and decreasing Aof the The magnetic core l@ of the magnetic frame ll which forms the return path for the magnetic lines of force in the magnetic system. The vheelpiece lil is suitably insulatedfrom the angle 2 by means of V sheet of insulation material l2 coextensive with the angle member 2 through which the securing screws it extend. The securing screws ld pass transverse shaft member D through the apertures lab in the side members lila of the armature journaling plate i9 shown more particularly in Fig. 8. The journaling plate i9 is provided with a slot lQc therein which extends on opposite sides of the adjustable screw 2U.

ingly controllingthe time period ojf operation of the relay. One br" the'arms carried by the armature terminates in a yoke embracing opposite sides of the operating member or" the snap action switch. The snap action operating member oi the snap action switch is formed from a strip of resilient copper alloy adapted to normally position a contact inclosed relation to an adjacent w Contact. A yoke embraces the resilient operating member and tends to shift the contact member to break'the contact with respect lto the fixed contact upon movement of the armature. The ysnap action switch controls the circuit to the solenoid while the' armature is provided with another arm to function the spring pile-up 0 2 contacts-in any number or arrangement desired. The armature is normally spring pressed to open position so that the yoke tends to maintain the resilient operating member for the snap action contact device in closed position. Thus the con# trol circuit to the relay windings not opened until the armature reaches its last portion o its stroke, that is, approximately 5% l,of its stroke.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reierence character l designates a base on which the relay system is mounted by meansA of an' angle member 2 secured in any suitable manner such as by securing means The magnetic core system of the relay is indicated at l 1having a wrap ping of suitable insulation material such as heavy empire cloth il wrapped over a portion thereof to receive the turns of operating winding b which are wound between the rdiscs of insulation material land over which a wrapping of insulation material B is wound. A spool-head of insulation materialrepresented at i3 isA mounted on mag- \netic core structure d and provides a support for strip-like soldering terminals i3d which' extend through the sheet of insulation material l2 and through the angle member 2 to provide termnal casings for opposite ends o f the turnsof winding t, Immediately adjacent the winding i on magnetic cored, I provide a metallic sleeve 4or slug` .Adjustable screw 2li passes through the yieldable washer member 2l which is maintained in alignment with magnetic frame il of the relay system by means or" a tongue 2 la which projects into the aperture 22 in the .trame l l. Byloosening screw Eil, plate 'it may be shifted longitudinally of the frame l l for correspondingly varying the spacial relation between armature il and the end of the magnetic core structure fl. f

The armature liis provided with a screw threaded aperture llo ythrough which an al- `instable residual screw extends with a lock nut 2d for securing the adjustable screw 23 in selected position whereby the residual gap between the 'face of the magnetic core structure l and the armature may be selected with the residual screw touching the end ci the magnetic core structure d. The movable armature ll carries two lever arms, one of which is indicated .l at 2dserving as the spring pile-up assembly operating arm and the other owl'iich is indicated at 25 forming the operating member for the 'selfinterrupting contact switch of the relaysystem. The operating lever 2d terminates in a pin member /la whichreceives a cap' ilb of 'insulation ,material and which serves as the actuating means :for controlling the spring pile-up assembly shown at 3 l. nThe operating lever 25 is secured to armature ll in any suitable manner such as by meansor rivets 26 which pass through the right-angular portion 2l of the arm i5. The lever 125 terminates in a yoke 28 which embraces opposite sides of the operating member 29 of the snap action switch shown more clearly at t@ in Fig. 1l.

The snap action switch till is formed from a stripl of resilient copper alloy adapted to nor. mally position a contact t2 in closed relation to an adjacent contact 33. The strip of resilient copper alloy forming snap action switch 3l) is centrally slotted as represented at 3Q and provided with a central aperture indicated at 35 The strip isl pressed outwardly to provide ribs St and 3l which impart rigidity along the marginal edges of the strip substantially throughout the entire length of the strip up to the resilient zone which E have indicated at 38. This construction enables the strip tto be exed from one extreme ysembly 3i consisting of leaf springs disposed position to another and to remain in the ilexed position. I'have illustrated in Fig. 12 the strip 30 flexed downwardly, thereby establishing connection between contact 32 and contact 33 car ried by leaf spring 39. Thekcentral portion of strip 30 adjacent the resilient portion 38 is bowed upwardly as represented at lil in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. When, however, the strip 30 is ilexed upwardly as represented in Figs. 13 and 15, the central portion of strip 30 adjacent the resilient portion 33 is bowed downwardly as represented at l in Figs. 13 and 15. This has the effect of maintaining contacts 32 and33 operated in spaced relation.

The lea springs 30 and 33 are suitably mounted between stacked insulator strips which I have shown generally at l2 which are maintained in rposition beneath plate 43 secured by screws ddl.

'end thereof so located with' respect to the end 2d oi operating contact member 3b that the 'dexiae of operating member 35 occurs only when e @ture il reaches substani e the end of its stroke on the operating stroke substantially the end oi its stroke on reiease.

The spring pile-up assembly 3l may comprise a multiplicity oi leaf spring members carrying coacting contacts but for purposes oi explaining my invention, have shown. a single pile-up as= in predetenn'n" of insu aced relation by means of s 1 material 45 secured beneath il by in s 'of screws through the limiting stop strip The limiting stop strip 49 has an extension 5U thereon :forming an Yabutment against which lever arm 24 abuts in the release position of armature l1. In this position the. spring pile-up assembly 3| has the contacts thereof open preparatory to the closing operation upon movement of armature l1 lfrom the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 to an operating position illustrated in Figs. 5 and 10 at which time the coacting contacts of spring pile-up assembly 3| are closed,

The relay system of my invention includes the lost motion yoke arrangement 28 on the end of operating lever 25 which may shift throughout substantially the entire stroke of the armature without disturbing the position of the control switch constituted by strips 3l) and 39. However, at substantially the end of thevoperating stroke illustrated in Figs. 5 and 10, the control switch is ilexed to open position and at substan- 'tially the end of the release stroke illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 9, the control switch is flexed to closed position. Inasmuch asA the control switch is disposed in serieswith voperating winding 6 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 a repeated succession of movements of the armature occurs so long as the control circuit to operating winding 8 is closed. This permits a. source of controlling potential applied through the spring pile-up assembly 3l to a load circuit to be successively connected and disconnected by the operation of the spring pile-up assembly at a time rate determined by the speed of operation of the relay system.

ate

the limits of move While I have described my invention in one of its preferredV embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

l. A relay system including angularly shiftable actuating means terminating in a yoke member having limited angular displacement, a displaceable strip of resilient material, a contact member adjacent one end thereof, a iixed support for the other end thereof, a fixed contact member aligned with the contact member on said strip, a pair of longitudinally extending ribs in said strip terminating short of the fixed support ier said strip whereby said strip may be flexed from one position to another and reftained therein, the voice member of said angeui larly shiitable actuating means embracing end oi' said strip for flexing said strip iro"H one position to another ier opening and clo circuit through sa contacts at substan ally f said angularly shiftable actuating mee 2. A relay system ncluding angularly shiitable actuating means terminating in a yoke member and having limited angular displacement, a plate insulatingiy supported in spaced ration to said yoke member, a dat strlp of resili material secured at one end to said plate mem and-extending to a position in which the free end thereof is disposed within said yoke member, a contact membermounted adjacent the free end of said lat strip, a fixed coacting contact member aligned with the aforesaid contact member, said strip having a pair of marginal ribs adjacent opposite edges thereof terminating short of the fixed end and the free end thereof, said strip being apertured at substantially the center portion thereof `and being provided with symmetrically arranged slots extending longitudinally thereof in opposite directions from the centrally apertured portion of the strip whereby said strip may be flexed downwardly or upwardly for closing or opening a circuit through said coacting contact at substantially the limits of movement of the yoke member of said angularly forming adjacent sti'ened andl reversing zones whereby said strip remains in either position to which it is moved, and an angularly shiftable member engageable with the free end of said two-position movable member.

4. In an electrical relay system, electrical control means comprising a fixed member carrying a contact and a two-position movable member carrying a coacting contact, said movable member comprising a. strip of resilient material tlxed at one end'and free at the opposite end and having a stiffened zone and a reversing zone whereby said strip remains in either position to which it is moved, a lever member having limited angular movement, said lever member including a.

pair of spaced arms loosely enveloping the free end of said strip for imparting operating forces thereto when either arm abats against and shifts said strip for controlling thel opening or closing of said contacts at substantially the end of the angular movement of said lever member.

5. In an electrical relay system, electrical control means comprising a resilient member carrying a contact and a two-position movable member, said movable member being xed at one end and being free at the opposite end and comprising a strip of resilient material apertured at substantially the center thereof with symmetrically" disposed slots extending longitudinally of the strip on opposite sides ofthe apertured portion thereof, an operating member enveloping the end of said two-position movable member and carrying a contact coacting with said rst mentionedcontact, an angularly displaceable member having limited angular movement, said member terminating in a yoke engaging opposite sides of said operating member wherebvsaid strip may be exed to either of two positions and retained il@ therein under control of said yoke as pressure is 

